…a Toronto music blog as random as its name.

Tag Archives: rivoli

Vancouver rockers Head of the Herd took over the sold-out Rivoli Saturday night, flooding the place with their modern blues sound. The great sounding venue was a perfect showcase for the pure musical chemistry and talent of the band. Playing a set full of blues-rock songs and some soulful covers, the band reminded everyone in the building what the genre is all about.

The band kept the crowd engaged for their entire set and their stage presence is palpable. Their look, featuring matching ties and suspenders, gives them a classic vibe similar to something you might see in a blues bar decades ago. At one point, lead singer Neu Mannas even had the entire crowd crouch down and take a knee for a verse before eventually having them jump up and blast into one of lead guitarist Clayton Frank’s most lively solos. Later, their cover of the Johnny Cash’s “25 Minutes to Go” had the crowd hypnotized with its captivating but haunting sound. Check it out:

The band ended their set with hit song “By This Time Tomorrow,” thrusting the crowd into a headbanging sing-a-long. Joined on stage by Finger Eleven rockers James Black and Rick Jackett – who helped produce the album – it was the perfect culmination of a night full of pleasant surprises.

Head of the Herd gave the crowd at Rivoli a stellar combination of classic blues with a modern vibe. They’re sure to do the same when they play Sound Academy on Dec. 6th. I suggest you be there, I know I will be.